Benefit rummage sale to help family of child with terminal cancer

AMHERST JUNCTION (WAOW) -- There were thousands of donated items and countless hours of work, all for one little boy. Four year old Cody Nelson has been battling terminal Leukemia since the age of 2.

"With pain regulation they check on him," said Cody's cousin Candi Smith. "He does have tumors that reoccur. He gets radiation for those tumors and they do shrink but nothing really goes away."

With Cody under constant care, his family's medical bills are upwards of $30,000. So friends have helped the Nelson's plan a benefit rummage sale to defray some of those costs. They put an ad in the paper seeking donated items and the response was overwhelming.

Family friend Eugene Smith said, "Even today we're going through boxes and setting out things the second day of the rummage sale and we're still getting donations. It's just been amazing and wonderful."

Thursday alone, the Nelson's collected over $6,000 and there's still 3 days left of the sale.

"It's all linked to cancer," Eugene Smith commented. "Brothers that have it or sisters that died from it. We've had ladies that buy stuff or have me pick it up and it's brand new items that they've purchased and I'm shocked."

Shoppers say they wouldn't miss the chance to help a little boy who they believe is adored by all in the community.

Community member Kathy Ehr said, "This is what it's all about really, just helping one another in the community and just reaching out to the family to show your support and your love for them."

The sale continues through Sunday. All items not sold will be donated to local charitable organizations. If you'd like to attend the rummage sale, the Nelson's home is off County Road A in Amherst Junction. Just follow the "Rummage Sale" signs.